Vietnam yesterday launched a stinging attack on its old enemy, the US, accusing it of brutal interference in Hanoi's internal affairs.
The ruling Communist Party newspaper, Nhan Dan, severely criticised the new Bush administration for pursuing a "hardline policy of hegemonism", and said it was wrong for America to demand that China hand over the spy plane and 24 crew stranded on Chinese territory.
The attack appears to have been sparked by a wave of protests among ethnic minorities in Vietnam's central highlands, and blamed by the Communists on exiled separatist supporters based in the US.
In a clear sign of deterioration in relations, the newspaper accused the US of trying to portray the US spy plane incident in China as a human rights issue, even though the plane "trespassed and landed illegally at a Chinese airport".
"This is US human rights," the newspaper editorial said.
"Human rights from the point of view of the United States (or more precisely, the US government) should be understood as having a full right to do what it wants - it's their right to enter and to spy. No one can touch them," the newspaper said.
It said Mr Bush loudly demanded that China immediately hand over the plane and its crew and threatened to take reprisals by diminishing long-term relations, obstructing China's admission to the World Trade Organisation and blocking China's bid to host the 2008 Olympics.
Relations between Vietnam and the US had improved dramatically with a visit in November by the then President Clinton.
A landmark trade agreement was signed during the visit which still has to be ratified by both sides.
However, since then there have been concerns about a growing deterioration in relations.
An intensifying focus from the US on Vietnam's human rights record could delay the ratification process.
The newspaper found fault in a whole range of US foreign policy stances, from the Middle East to the Kyoto climate convention as well as the spy plane standoff with China.
The article denounced a US offer of asylum to 24 ethnic minority people who fled to neighbouring Cambodia from the central highlands after widespread protests in February.
"They brutally interfere into our internal affairs, rudely agitate and encourage riots and illegal immigration and then say they are ready to accept those they have labelled `asylum-seekers'," it said.
"In general, the new US government is trying to make their foreign policy hard, using human rights as cover to carry out hegemony. Where are they going?" it asked.
The commentary was the first time the official media had made a direct allegation of US government involvement in fomenting the highlands protests.
Reuters adds: Vietnamese dissidents in exile accused Hanoi yesterday of brutally repressing Christians and Buddhists, alleging hill tribe people were attacked and tortured to death after recent protests in the Central Highlands.